University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XXXIX.

On the eighth day came Antar and Mocri-ul-wahsh
unto Cais, accompanied by the Absian chieftains.
O King, said they, how long these tears, and this
affliction? The catastrophe of thy foes proceeds
from thy good fortune. It is over: it is now incumbent
on thee to make feasts and entertainments,
and take advantage of this period of festivity.

Thus they continued till they made him drink
some wine; and on the second day he gave a magnificent
feast at the lake of Zat-ul-irsad, where the
whole tribe of Abs was collected; and when they
had eaten, the wine was brought to them, and they
conversed about their battles, commemorating their
victories. O my cousins, said King Cais, that was
our severest day, when we engaged the tribe of Fazarah;
for on that day also drew near the armies of
King Numan, with Mocri-ul-wahsh, the Knight of
Syria, and no one relieved us from disasters, but our
cousin Antar, and Mocri-ul-wahsh, on the day he
became Antar's friend; for then he performed deeds
to be recorded. Mocri-ul-wahsh, on hearing this,
started on his legs, and kissing the King's hand, O
King, said he, I used formerly to reckon myself
amongst the valiant in war, and in the charge, till I
was overpowered by this swarthy knight, and this

lion of death; but when I tasted of his combat, I
knew my opinion of horsemen was false, and that I
was a fool among the brave; for bravery is divided
into two sorts: the first belongs to all mankind, the
second is exclusively Antar's.

Antar sprang up, and kissing him between the
eyes, exclaimed, Witness for me, ye chiefs of Abs
and Adnan, and all ye here present, that I am for
ever the slave of this hero, and all the wealth and
property my power shall obtain shall be made over
to him; let no one interfere on this point, and verily,
I have engaged on my existence, that I will effect
his union with his bride Maseeka, daughter of the
King of Hooran. To-morrow will I commence this
undertaking; for ye all know, that I ever assist the
union of absent lovers, and how anxious I am to
relieve the afflictions of those who sigh for each
other; thus, perhaps, the Lord Creator may facilitate
my business; but I do not speak thus in the
way of complaint or opposition to fate; for that time
will come, sooner or later, either by death or by a
meeting and realization of hopes. And as he spoke,
he wept. When Malik, his uncle, beheld his grief,
O son of my brother, he cried, running towards him
in the excess of his malice and guile, by the faith of
an Arab, were I not afraid of interrupting the feast,
I would wed my daughter, Ibla, to thee before tomorrow.
But when the feasts of King Cais are
concluded, we will consult about our affairs, and the
cup of joys shall draw nigh. Thou knowest, O
Aboolfawaris, thou art our protector in every peril,

and from every foe. Moreover, we would have
already terminated this business, and consummated
all thy hopes, had it not been for the arrival of King
Numan's troops, and the convulsions of the times.
But now our troubles are removed from us, and
by thy sword every opponent, every enemy, has been
put to death, and there remains no one, black or
white, to thwart our wishes. No! no! exclaimed
King Cais, turning towards him, these excuses I will
no longer admit or endure. As he spoke, he gave
the cup to his wine-bearer, adding, listen to the
words I now say. O Wine-bearer! lock up this
cup, and keep it, for, by the faith of an Arab, I
will not again drink of wine, or interest myself in
any one affair, till my cousin, Antar, be wedded
unto his cousin, and his affliction be removed. All
the he and she camels I possess shall be supplied for
seven days, as also fodder for the horses. Arise this
moment, he added, addressing Malik, and prepare
thy daughter. Malik quitted the presence of King
Cais, expressing his obedience and submission; and
the whole assembly dispersed, Antar's friends rejoicing,
and his enemies sorrowing. When the
family of Carad heard of Ibla's marriage, they were
delighted, men and women, daughters and sons;
they commenced their merry-making and joys,
and grief was banished. Malik knew not what to
do, and he felt aware his perfidy and machinations
could avail him nought; for should he resist, the
morrow would see him dead; so he repaired to his
wife. Mother of Amroo, said he, prepare for thy
daughter's wedding, for she, in a few days, will be
married to her cousin, Antar. I verily blush before
him, for he has acted so generously towards us; but
I have requited him with evil, and particularly at
this time, when he has repulsed King Numan's
armies; for had it not been for Antar's sword, we
should all have been dispersed over the wilds and
the wastes. When Ibla's mother heard this from
her husband, she rejoiced on her daughter's account,
for she loved Antar exceedingly for his intrepidity
and superior excellence; she was, moreover, convinced
that Ibla could suit no one but Antar, for he
alone could protect her. Bring Antar to me, said
Malik to his son. Amroo went forth and told Antar
his father wanted him. So Antar sprang up and
put on his finest clothes, and departing with Amroo,
presented himself to his uncle, who arose and
embraced him, treating him with great distinction,
and saying, Nephew, invite thy friends, and thy
comrades, and thy associates, that we may prepare
thy wedding, and accomplish thy wishes. At these
expressions, Antar's bosom dilated, and he was full
of joy. He instantly started forth, and returning
home, sent for Oorwah. O Ebe-ool-Ebyez, said
Antar, my uncle has consented to my marriage, and
has directed me to invite my friends and confederates,
and in three days he will acquiesce in my
desires, but I would put it off for ten days. O
Aboolfawaris, said Oorwah, take advantage of the
opportunity, and let our hearts be relieved of this
anxiety. O Ebe-ool-Ebyez, continued Antar, I
wish to send to all my friends, as I fear they may
otherwise reproach us, particularly the chief Bostam;
for he suffered much with us, in the affairs of the
Kendehans. The least, said Oorwah, that you can
wish to slaughter on your marriage, will be ten thousand
he and she camels, for thy guests will be numerous.
O Ebe-ool-Ebyez, said Antar, ten thousand
shall not suffice for the slaves alone; the least
that I shall slaughter will be twenty thousand she
camels, and twenty thousand he camels; twenty
thousand sheep, and twenty thousand goats, and
a thousand lions, for my guests will be many. I
wish to make at Ibla's wedding five separate feasts;
I will feed the birds and the beasts, the men and
the women, the girls and boys, and not a single
person shall remain in the whole country but shall
eat at Ibla's marriage festival. Well, do as you
please, Aboolfawaris, said Oorwah. Now write,
added Antar, to the chief Bostam, a letter, with my
good wishes, to request his company, with all the
warriors of the tribe of Shiban; and a second to
Hassan, the Mazinite; and a third to the chief
Hijar, son of Aamir, the Kendehan; and a fourth
to Maadi Kereb, the Zebeedian; and a fifth to the
chief Moshajaa, son of Hosan, the Khoolamian;
and a sixth to King Niamet, son of Ashtar, lord of
the land of Sawdah, and the volcano mountain.
Thus he wrote numerous letters to all the Arab
tribes, and the number of letters he despatched to
the tribes was three hundred and sixty, to the
three hundred and sixty tribes of Arabs of the
cultivated and uncultivated plains; and whilst he
was making preparations, O Ebe-ool-Ebyez, said
he to Oorwah, I wish you would go to the land of
Syria, and procure some wine for us. Oorwah expressed
his obedience, and mounting with his men,
set out for the land of Syria, till he reached Azeilem,
now called Mazeireeb, where he staid with his people,
expecting the wine merchants. As to King Cais,
he ordered his slaves to bring forth his tents, and
pitch the canopies and standards, and thus the whole
tribe of Abs exhibited all their riches; and it was
a wonderful day in the display of the quantity of
different coloured tents and decorated dwellings.
The tents for the men were put on one side; on the
other were the tents for the women; and they felt
secure from the night depredators of the time, and
the revolutions of events. Antar was at the summit
of his happiness and delight, congratulating himself
on his good fortune and perfect felicity, all trouble
and anxiety being now banished from his heart.
Praise be to God, the dispenser of all grief from the
hearts of virtuous men! Antar every day mounted
his horse, and roamed over the mountains and the
hollows, hunting lions and tigers, till he had taken
seven hundred lions and two hundred tigers, which
he secured in a valley, and he stationed a number of
slaves over them to feed them. He then exhibited
the pavilion which he had brought with him from
Chosroe, and ordered his slaves to pitch it for Ibla;
and when spread out, it occupied half the land of
Shurebah, for it was the load of forty camels; and
there was an awning at the door of the pavilion,
under which four thousand of the Absian horse could
skirmish. It was embroidered with burnished gold,
studded with precious stones and diamonds, interspersed
with rubies, and emeralds set with rows of
pearls, and there was painted thereon a specimen of
every created thing, birds, and trees, and towns, and
cities, and seas, and continents, and beasts, and
reptiles; and whoever looked at it was confounded
by the variety of the representations, and by the
brilliancy of the silver and gold; and so magnificent
was the whole, that when the pavilion was pitched,
the land of Shurebah and Mount Saadi were illuminated
by its splendor. The Absians produced
their richest stores; in short, the dwellings appeared
like a flower-garden; the whole country was in
agitation; and the sun shone with reflected rays.
The happiest of all, at Antar's marriage-feast, were
King Cais and his brothers, and also the family of
Carad; for these days were like so many holidays
to them. As to the family of Zeead, their hearts
were bursting. Oorwah was not absent more than
three days, and on the fourth day he appeared, and
with him abundance of wine; and whilst they were
in this state, behold, some she camels advanced,
and he camels came forward from the valleys and
the mountains, amounting to sixty thousand she
camels, and sixty thousand he camels; and Antar
ordered Shiboob to conduct three thousand of
them to the mountains, there to slaughter them, and
skin them, and feed the birds. Shiboob obeyed,
and went to the mountains, where he slaughtered
the camels; and as the slaves flayed them of their
hides, Shiboob ascended the highest mountain, and
cried out in a loud voice, O ye birds of prey, ye
vultures of death! come down and eat of Antar's
marriage-feast; he this day invites ye all. The
next day, he took two thousand more, and slaughtered
them on the mountain-tops, crying out, O ye
voracious lions, ye mighty tigers, all of ye come
down and eat of the marriage-feast of Antar, son of
Shedad, for he this day invites ye all. After this,
Antar ordered the butchers to slaughter he and
she camels, and sheep, and fattened deer, and to
prepare every species of viand, and to make the wine
to flow, and to decorate the dwellings of his guests
and friends for four days, when lo! there appeared
a dust. Antar and the Absians mounted to meet it,
and the dust opened and discovered the chief
Bostam, accompanied by a thousand horsemen of
the tribe of Shiban. Antar saluted him and his
comrades, and conducted them to a magnificent
tent, and they presented them meat of the flesh of
sheep and deer. The next day, also, was seen advancing
towards them a cloud of dust, which the
Absians went out to meet, when lo! it discovered
Hassan the Mazinite, Prince Malik's foster brother,
and in his rear were seven thousand horsemen, all
mailed and armed. Antar received them, and conducted
them to a magnificent tent, supplying them
abundantly with meat and wine. They reposed till
morning, when lo! a dust again arose: Antar and
the Absians went out to meet it, and Maadi Kereb,
the Zebeedian, appeared, accompanied with nine
thousand horsemen of the tribes of Zebeed, Khitaam,
and Morad. Antar received and accommodated
them with a superb dwelling: he treated them most
hospitably, and supplied them with abundance of
wine. They passed a night of joy and festivity;
and in the morning there appeared another dust,
and it discovered a knight close-visored and perfectly
formed. The warriors marked him, and behold
it was the chief Hijar, son of Aamir, the Kendehan,
accompanied with eight thousand heroes of
Kendeh, all famed for their bravery and firmness.
The Absians and Antar received them, and saluting
them, conducted them to a magnificent mansion, and
presented them meat and wine, paying them every
attention. On the next day there was seen another
dust, and it cleared away from the chief Moshajaa,
son of Hosan, the Khoolanian, attended by seven
thousand horsemen of the tribe of Khoolan. The
tribe of Abs and Adnan received him, and made
him alight at a splendid tent, overwhelming them
with meat and wine. Antar was delighted at their
arrival, and treated them all with distinguished
hospitality. The Absians continued in this state of
mirth and merriment, receiving in succession all the
Arab tribes of Adnan and Cahtan. (Were I to
write down, says Asmaee, all the Arab tribes that
assisted at Antar's nuptials, the tongue would fail,
and the hearer be wearied, and the book be filled;
so we have abridged the account.)

The Arabs continued to flock into the land of the
tribe of Abs and Adnan, till the wilderness and desert
were crammed, as also the mountains and sandhills.
Praise be to God, the enricher of mankind!
Antar ordered the butchers to slaughter night and
day, and the cooks to cook day and night, and the
slaves to prepare bread and pastry: and all the
tribe of Abs stood waiting in attendance on the Arab
chiefs, and inhabitants of the wilds and wastes, even
to King Cais himself and all his brothers. There
were reckoned, by one who was present at Antar's
marriage, one hundred and forty-five thousand warriors,
lords of the sword-blow and spear-thrust;
and the total of those who were present, men and
women, amounted to three hundred thousand.
Power is with the only God, great and munificent!
On this account, Antar's wedding was known far
and wide in those days; and when these tribes
were assembled, the country was too confined for
them; so that brother could not see his brother, nor
son distinguish where stood his father. Antar
ordered the chamberlains to spread carpets, that the
victuals might not spoil, and that they might eat
walking, eat standing, eat on horseback, eat sitting,
and eat in their sleep: and there was not one but
was satisfied with every variety of meat. (Whereas,
says Asmaee, I was at Mecca when I heard of Antar's
nuptials; I hastened to the land of Shurebah,
that I might be an eye-witness, and write down
what I saw; and when I arrived, I perceived an
infinity of things that had never been mentioned

before; and I reckoned that Antar had expended
in barley, and wheat, and millet, and other grain,
seven hundred and seventy Irdebbs[9] .)

They thus continued in constant enjoyment: the
horsemen every morning mounted their steeds,
flourishing their arms and tilting on the plains, till
the heat became too powerful, when they returned
to the tents, where they found provisions prepared,
minced meats served up, and victuals all ready and
cooked. They ate, and the wine-bearers supplied
them with generous old wine; and thus they went on
seven days and nights. On the eighth day, the
chief Bostam sprang up on his legs, and kissing the
ground before Antar, presented him the presents
he had brought with him, consisting of one hundred
of the finest horses, with their accoutrements and
armour; fifty balls of the most fragrant musk; fifty
dishes of ambergris, and a hundred chains of the
purest gold; a hundred robes of velvet, two thousand
she camels, and two thousand he camels, with
one hundred female slaves; and thus he addressed
him:

"May heroes rejoice in the continuance of thy
glory, and the noble witness the abundance of thy
greatness! may every day be renewed to thee in
life, and every joy be in its return more plentiful!
Thine is a palm for mankind, that gives comfort
with wealth, and every bounty; thy hand is well

known, and its celebrated munificence testifies it.
May the generosity of thy right hand never fail,
as my heart will never fail in its love for thee:
may this wedding be propitious to thee amongst
men. O knight of knights, and of noble heroes,
accept the presents of one most grateful to thee.
O Aboolfawaris, thou most merciful of warriors,
mayest thou never fail in thy beneficence! may
thy joys abound to thy gratification, and may thy
abundance ever increase."

Antar accepted his presents, and seated him according
to his rank. Then the chief Maadi Kereb
advanced, and kissing the ground, presented one
thousand she camels, and one thousand he camels;
five hundred horses, with their accoutrements and
armour; one hundred robes of crimson silk;
twenty strings of jewels; twenty dishes of ambergris;
twenty balls of the most precious musk; one
hundred male slaves, and as many female slaves;
and as he requested Antar's acceptance, he thus
spoke:

"This day, its light is illumined by thy nuptials,
and the glory of its lustre is raised by thy happy
star. O Antar of horsemen, rejoice in the accomplishment
of every hope and wish. The
night, whenever thou comest, loses its obscurity;
and the desert, wherever thou art, loses its barrenness!
Glory, then, above all men, in thy prosperity;
all confess thy greatness is their greatness.
In thy beneficence accept, my lord, a present

from one, whose possessions are all thine. Kindly
regard thy slave, who is come to thee, and
shouldst thou refuse him, it will prove his ruin."

Antar thanked him for his verses, and accepting
his present, seated him according to his rank. Then
came forward the Chief Hidjar, son of Aamir, the
Kendehan, and kissing the ground before Antar, he
presented one thousand she camels, and two thousand
he camels; five hundred horses, with their
accoutrements and armour; five strings of jewels;
one hundred robes of twisted velvet; twenty balls
of musk; five thousand sheep; one hundred male
slaves, and a hundred female; and thus he spoke:

"The generosity of all generosity is seen, when
thou advancest with a shout; and mankind has
proved it at the time thou chargest in the field.
Thou art extolled on high, at the moment when
every great man, noble as he is, cries out to thee
for aid. Thou art celebrated for thy liberality in
the eloquence of Persia, for the hand of the most
bountiful is found niggardly by thee. Thou art
a youth whose every thought, disposition, word,
and act are magnificent, in spite of thy malicious
foes. Thou art a youth that hast mounted to the
summit of praise, lofty as it is; and must bear its
accumulated weight, heavy as it is. O Knight of
Battle, may thy nuptials be propitious to thee!
thou paragon of horsemen, at the moment thou
leadest the charge! Accept, I conjure thee, this
present from me, and excuse its insufficiency, O
my lord and my friend!"

Antar thanked him for his address, and accepting
his present, seated him according to his rank. Then
advanced Hassan, the Mazinite, who kissed the
ground, and presented seven hundred horses, with
their accoutrements and armour; and three thousand
he and she camels; two thousand goats, and two
thousand sheep; twenty velvet garments; twenty
necklaces; twenty balls of musk, and twenty dishes
of ambergris; with a hundred male slaves, and as
many female; and thus he spoke:

"Shall others congratulate thee? but I will never
cease to felicitate thee. O Knight of Knights, in
the day of horrors thou art the lion, and the vanquisher
of the brave. The chiefs have accorded
thee the inheritance of eloquence; 'tis well, for
thou art wiser than Sohban[10] himself: accept these
presents of one bound in gratitude to thee, O thou
my refuge, my crown, and my defender!"

Antar thanked him for his address, and accepting
his presents, seated him according to his rank. Then
sprang forward Moshajaa, Chief of the tribe of
Khoolan, and presenting a thousand horses, with all
their accoutrements, and four thousand he and she
camels; ten thousand sheep; ten silk cushions; a
hundred velvet robes; fifty balls of musk, and fifty
dishes of ambergris—he requested his acceptance,
and thus addressed him:

"Hail to thy hand, that has no bounds! Prose
and rhyme fail to express my thanks. How can

gratitude be conveyed to the noble hero, when the
Pisces and the Lyra fall short of it? He possesses
those virtues of liberality, could I describe
them, the age would be adorned, and fortune
would boast thereof. His fingers are the dew, and
his munificence the falling shower: his virtues a
garden, and his words flowers. Rejoice in the
happiness that may bring thee glory; and nuptials
that may produce festivity and triumph! Accept,
then, I beseech thee, of me, this present; and extend
thy pardon, my lord, for its insufficiency."

Antar accepted his presents, and seated him
according to his rank; when up sprang the Chief
Obad, and presenting five hundred horses with their
housings and armour; three thousand he and she
camels; five thousand goats; two thousand sheep;
two hundred dishes of ambergris; two hundred balls
of precious musk, and a thousand robes of crimson
silk; with one hundred male slaves, and as many
female; he thus expressed his admiration of Antar:

"Is there for judgment any justice-throne but
thine? Beyond thy court is there any hope amongst
man? Had a man wished to express praise or
gratitude before this, rhymes would have failed.
O, by the Lord of Heaven, were all languages to
be heaped together, poetry would fall short of
what I feel. Thou art the man, were it not for
whose sword, there would be no refuge for the
hopes of mortals. Marriage is noble among men,
and truly in thee is proved what futurity will never
produce. Thy success is peculiarly thine own;

no scene of glory is there, but thine arm was there
seen extended—munificence, resolution, and convincing
wisdom! What is the ram? or the lion?
or the sword? the hero of horsemen, when the
armies close; the lion of armies, when the armies
close. As to his virtues, their liberality every petitioner
has witnessed; but on the day of battle,
they are absynth. He protects those who beg
his mercy; his benignity enriches before they even
ask. Accept then the presents of one, who is come
to thee in joy—whose power truly depends on
thee. Never will I praise any one but thee; for
in the qualities of thy glory I shall cite proverbs
among men. O thou, my friend, my associate!
may nothing ever disturb or taint thy happiness!"

Antar expressed his thanks, and congratulated
him, and accepting his presents, seated him according
to his rank. Then came forward Niamet, son
of Ashtar, who presented a thousand horses, with
their accoutrements and armour; and a hundred
necklaces of jewels, and a thousand crimson silk
robes; five thousand he and she camels; twenty
thousand sheep; two hundred male slaves, and as
many female; one hundred balls of precious musk;
one hundred dishes of ambergris. And as he requested
Antar's acceptance, he thus honoured him:

"To describe thee would require all we can say
or write. It is no wonder that we are prolix or
flowery. Thy deeds and thy greatness must ever
be known: why should we not detail thy eulogy,
and compose verses on thee? If indeed there be

no end to words, there is also no term to thy virtues.
Should glory itself aim at thy height, exceeding
the distance of the stars, it might approach
thee; and should it not reach so high, thou hast
attained that supremacy we cannot describe, however
we extend our expressions and our rhymes.
Man is totally unable to praise the worth of a
hero, who puts at nought every eulogist, and
every admirer. As to his actions, his bounty to
his foes is cited from east to west. Pens of spears
have inscribed his generosity, and tongues of Indian
swords have spoken of him in the East. His
scimitar has raised him to a pinnacle of glory, on
the very extremity of fame, far and near. He rides a
high-mettled steed that never falters, and deals out
death to the enemy. May this marriage be auspicious
to thee, thou Knight of war, and mayst
thou succeed in every attempt! May the world
be ever a garden under thy command, and by thy
bounty may it be refreshed with showers! Accept
from me a present that I offer thee, for thou
art skilled and daring in every deed. May thy
existence never fail us! thou art our object, and
we consider thy generosity as the utmost boundary
of our wishes."

The heroes and warriors were much delighted.
Antar thanked him for his address, and accepting
his presents, seated him according to his rank.

Now when all the Arab chiefs had presented their
offerings, each according to his circumstances, Antar
rose, and called out to Mocri-ul-wahsh; O Knight

of Syria, said he, let all the he and she camels, high
priced horses, and all the various rarities I have received
this day, be a present from me to you. But
the perfumes of ambergris, and fragrant musk, belong
to my cousin Ibla; and the slaves shall form
my army and troops. (The number of slaves Antar
received that day amounted to two thousand five
hundred; to whom he gave as many horses, and as
many damsels, and also arms and weapons; and they
all mounted when he rode out, and halted when he
halted.)

When the Arab chiefs heard Antar's harangue,
and how he had given away all his property, they
marvelled at his generosity; and they requested him
to terminate his nuptials, fearful of any treachery
or opposition. O Arabs, said King Cais, your
earnestness shall not be thrown away upon us,
nor your visit to us be unavailing; for ye are the
horsemen of magnanimity, and joy should ever succeed
to difficulties. It was the justice of fortune that
released Antar from the bonds of servitude, and endued
him with liberality, intrepidity, and boldness
in arms; and he is become our champion, and the
remover of all our pains and sorrows.

Rebia was highly indignant at this speech; and
as King Cais observed him, O Rebia, he added,
verily Antar deserves even more than this, for he has
been patient, and has never failed us; he has protected
our wives and our families; and there is nothing
to be done but to conclude the marriage.

And when the Arabs heard this, they kissed the

ground before him. Bravo! exclaimed Antar,
springing forward from behind them. All ye that
are present here, know that I am the slave of this
Absian tribe; I will redeem it with my life and my
property from every distress, and every calamity;
from every misfortune and every adversity: if they
marry my cousin to me, I consent; if they still resist,
I will have patience; if they wish to delay me,
it is for them to command; but whatever they do,
I shall still be the object of insult and envy. O
Aboolfawaris, exclaimed they all, there is no opposition
to the nuptials—thou art our knight and our
champion. Upon which Antar ordered ten thousand
he and she camels to be slaughtered that day,
and also twenty thousand sheep, and twenty thousand
goats, and a thousand lions and lionesses.

Then mounted the Chief Bostam, with the tribe
of Shiban, and the Chief Hijar, with the people of
Kendeh; and Maadi Kereb, with the tribe of Zebeed;
and Moshajaa, with the tribe of Khoolan; and Hatal,
with the tribe of Ghiftan; and also King Cais,
with the tribe of Abs and Adnan; and Hassan, the
Mazinite; and Rowdhah, son of Meneea; and King
Niamet, son of Ashtar; and Rebia, son of Zeead;
and also all the horsemen: and the whole desert was
illumined with the flash of helmets, and armour, and
corslets. They gave the bridles to their horses, and
titled and jousted with each other with barbless
spears, till mid-day. (It was now the season of the
spring, and the country was enamelled with the lustre
of the new-born flowerets.)

And the sun being risen to the meridian vault of
heaven, the warriors returned to their tents and the
dwellings that were fixed for them: there the dinner
was already served up for them, and there was not
one but found before him a portion of the lion's flesh,
of which the men ate till they were satisfied, and
then came the wine-bearers round with cups and
goblets.

Afterwards, Antar directed them to lay out a second
range of tables, covered with victuals for the
poor, and the orphans, and the widows. His orders
were obeyed; and the herald proclaimed, Whoever
wants meat and provisions, let him repair to the
kitchen of Antar, son of Shedad. So all the girls
and boys, women and children, advanced; and Antar
stood up with his brothers, waiting on all the noble
guests amongst the slaves and attendants: but King
Cais prohibited Antar from serving in such menial
offices.

Now there was a curious custom current among
the Arabs at that period. The night on which a
bridegroom should wed his wife, they brought a
quantity of camel packsaddles, and heaped them one
upon the other, decorating them with magnificent
garments. Here they conducted the bride, and
having seated her on high, they said to the bridegroom,
Come on, now for thy bride! And the
bridegroom rushed forward to carry her off, whilst
the youths of the tribe drawn up in line, right and
left, with staves and stones in their hands, as soon
as the bridegroom rushed forwards, began beating

and pelting him, and doing their utmost to prevent
his reaching his wife. If a rib or so were broken in
the affair, it was well for him; were he killed, it was
his destiny. But should he reach his wife in safety,
the people quitted him, and no one attempted to approach
him. (I inquired about this circumstance,
says Asmaee, and what it was they were about.
Asmaee, they answered, the meaning of this is to
exhibit the bride to the warriors, that should her
husband die, any one else might take a fancy to
her, and take her off.)

At this period, as Antar's nuptials were began,
King Cais assembled his brothers; Know, sons of
my father and my mother, said he, this night is the
night of Ibla's appearing in state to Antar; and I
fear that some enemy of his may betray him: but
this custom has prevailed for ages past. My opinion,
said Harith, is, that this custom should be abolished
with respect to Antar, and renewed with every one
else.

King Cais saw the expediency of such advice,
and accordingly ordered the herald to proclaim to
the assembled nations, that King Cais, King of the
tribe of Abs and Adnan, ordains that every one
who attends Antar's nuptials with a sword, or staff,
or any instrument, shall be put to death, and his
property be given to Antar: and I will excuse, says
the King, those who make offerings, and I will be
impartial to those who take warning: for I have
abolished this custom at the nuptials of Antar; but
I shall reinforce it on every future occasion. Thus

proclaimed the herald throughout the tents of the
tribe of Abs and Adnan. The Arabs heard it, and
all Antar's friends were exceedingly pleased at the
precaution thus taken.

Now when Amarah heard that Antar was about
to consummate his marriage with Ibla, he was seized
with a violent fever, and an ague-fit suddenly fell
upon his whole body. He sent for forty of his
slaves, and exciting their avarice, ordered them to
be on the watch the night of Ibla's marriage with
Antar, that they should rush unawares upon him,
and put him to death. They went away in order
to execute Amarah's commands; but hearing the
proclamations among the tents, that no one should
attend Antar's wedding with arms, they returned,
and told Amarah of the circumstance. Then his
heart burst—he started up, and ran to his brother
Rebia, exclaiming, O my brother, I am dying.
What's the matter now, my fine fellow? said Rebia.
Amarah related his disappointment; but added to
Rebia, You have frequented the privacies of kings,
and have travelled over lands and countries: so explain
to me some deadly herb, that I may give it
this slave in such a manner that no one may know
any thing about it. Amarah, said Rebia, I know
of an electuary, which one of King Numan's confidants
explained to me, saying, Rebia, this is an
electuary; should any one eat thereof, it will extinguish
the burning warmth of his body; and, for one
day and night, should it circulate through his frame,
he will sink into a state of inanition and lethargy.

Brother, said Amarah, give me some of this electuary,
that I may give it this black Antar to eat.
And who will give it Antar to eat? said Rebia. My
female slave Kehla, said Amarah; Khemisa, Ibla's
handmaiden, is very found of her, and this day, very
early, she will go to assist her. Upon this Rebia
gave Amarah the electuary, which he took, and
returned home.

Now this slave-girl Kehla was in high favour with
Amarah, for she was in lieu of Ibla to him, and
when he came home he sent for her. Kehla, said
he, I have an important affair for you, and I cannot
trust its execution to any hands but yours. What's
this mighty affair, my lord? said Kehla. I want
you, continued Amarah, to take this electuary with
you, when Khemisa invites you to the feast, and
take special care to mix it with Antar's meat, that
he may eat of it. But, my lord, said Kehla, what
are the effects of this medicine, should any one eat
it? It is not deadly? I should never escape out of
the hands of the family of Carad. No, no! O Kehla,
said Amarah, it is not deadly; it is a drug to excite
hatred, and you well know what I have suffered on
account of Ibla, and now at last Antar has got the
better of me; he has taken her by force, and all my
wish is, that he may eat this drug, so that he may
hate her. Kehla expressed her obedience to his
commands, and Amarah was all joy and delight,
recommending her to keep the affair secret.

Kehla took the drug, and set out for Antar's

feast; and when she arrived, she saw one of the
Carad slaves, called Naeem, standing in attendance
amongst the other slaves; round his head was a
crimson turban, and he wore one of Antar's honorary
robes. Kehla was passionately in love with him;
and when she saw him so fine, she said to herself,
'Tis true Amarah loves me, but he will not let me
go out to the pastures and meet my beloved—he
says this medicine is good to produce hatred, so the
best thing I can do will be to give it my master,
Amarah, himself to eat, that he may hate me, and
let me go out to the pastures; and I will let Antar
be happy. So she went to Khemisa, Ibla's handmaiden,
and related what had occurred with Amarah;
and giving her the medicine, Khemisa, said
she, there is nothing to be done but for you to infuse
this drug into the meat, and take it to my master,
Amarah; for he will not refuse it from your hands.
Khemisa acquiesced, and taking the drug from her,
put it into a platter full of meat, smothered with
saffron and gravy; and having thus melted the drug
in the meat, she carried away the dish, and went in
search of the Chief Amarah, before whom she placed
it. As soon as he saw Khemisa, he asked her about
Kehla. My lord, she replied, I left her waiting on
my master, Antar; and I have brought you this
meat. Amarah was highly pleased, and said, Let
not Kehla delay giving Antar the medicine to eat;
and let the slave be a Black greasy Pot, as Rebia
has said. And he ate up the whole meat; in the
excess of his joy licking the very dish with his
tongue. However the meat was not long settled in
his stomach before he felt the effects of the drug.

And now when the Arabs assembled for Antar's marriage had eaten their dinner, the cups of wine
were brought round to them; the men and women
were promiscuously moving together; the girls came
forth, and the slave-women were amusing themselves,
enjoying the happy moments. Hola! cried
the matrons and the virgins, we will not remain
covered on Antar's marriage. And they threw aside
their veils, and the full moons appeared in all their
lustre; and they flaunted the branches of their forms
in the excess of their delight; and it was a famous
day for them. By the faith of an Arab, said the
matrons and virgins, we will not remain thus concealed
behind these curtains; the doors shall not be
shut upon us; we will see Ibla in her magnificence,
and we will walk in her train, and make our offerings
to her and Antar, and we will not keep a dirhem
or a dinar to ourselves; for a happier night
than this can never be, and no one but a madman
would miss it.

When the women of the tribe of Carad heard this,
they were alarmed for the scandal and censure that
would thus be occasioned: so they resolved to finish
Ibla's ceremony. They clothed her in the most
magnificent robes and Chosroweean garments, and
superb necklaces; they placed the coronet of Chosroe
on her head, and tiaras round her forehead. Ibla
was remarkable for her beauty and loveliness: the

tirewomen surrounded her, and they requested Antar
to let her come forth in state. He gave them
permission, whilst his brothers and slaves stood
round the pavilion with their swords, and javelins,
and weapons. He ordered them to place a lofty
throne for Ibla in front of the pavilion. They executed
his commands—they lighted brilliant and scented candles before her, and spread afar the odour
of aloes and camphor, and scattered the perfumes
of ambergris and musk—the lights were fixed in
candlesticks of gold and silver—the torches blazed—
and whilst the women shouted and raised their voices
to whistles and screams, Ibla came forth in state.
In her hand she bore a drawn sword, whose lustre
dazzled the eyesight. All present gave a shout;
whilst the malicious and ill natured cried aloud,
What a pity that one so beautiful and fair should
be wedded to one so black! As to the Chief Amarah,
he felt that his life had quitted his body, and
the universe appeared all darkened to him; he was
stupefied, and in the greatest consternation; and
though he wished to stand up, he fell down, for an
arrow from Ibla's eyes shot him, and he was upset.
I know, said he to himself, this black slave will be
happy with Ibla; but I must put a stop to this
business; so he ran home, and took two necklaces
of jewels, and went with them to Simiah, Shedad's
wife. O Simiah, said he, I have a particular favour
to beg of you; I wish you would fulfil it, and take
these two necklaces of jewels. What is it you want,
my lord? said Simiah. What I want of you, said
Amarah, is to say to Zebeeba, Antar's mother,
God forbid you should do such an act, O Zebeeba!
If she asks you what you mean by this speech, tell
her, Your son Antar has endured much vexation;
but his trouble is not lost, for Ibla, after having
been his foster-sister, is now become his wife. Zebeeba
is but of little wit, so she will perhaps tell her
son Antar; and should she say, I nursed Ibla with
your milk, may be his high spirit will mount up,
and he will not venture near his bride. Amarah's
intention was to stop Antar's marriage that night,
that the medicine might have its full effect upon
him, ignorant, as he was, that the drug was in his
own bowels. Simiah agreed to his proposal, for she
much coveted the necklaces. Amarah departed, his
heart full of joy. Simiah turned towards the pavilion,
and met an immense concourse of people, all
huddled one upon another. The candles were
burning, and the torches were waving—Ibla came
forth in state, looking about right and left, and as
some one has described:

"She exhibited the play of her charms in her
features and her form, as her elegant shape moved
about. She looked and shot arrows from her eyelashes,
and threw amongst us penetrating darts.
The beauties of her face exclaimed to her admirers,
Be not ignorant, and attach yourselves to her
charms. Every charm was united in her that
could captivate the senses, when she either sat still
or moved."

When Ibla had appeared in state amongst the
people, her mother took the sword out of her hand,
and wished to dress her a second time; but fire and
animation seized Antar; urged by his pride, he
darted at Ibla, and snatched her off the throne of
state like a sparrow, and entered the pavilion with
her, leaving pain and regret in the hearts of all the
bystanders: but Shiboob and Jareer remained at
the door of the pavilion, protecting their brother
from every harm.

Simiah, Shedad's wife, imparted to Zebeeba what
Amarah had instructed her to say; and as Zebeeba
was very deficient in sense, and not a little careless,
she let her son alone till he had entered the tent
with his cousin Ibla, when she went to him, and
seating herself by his side, congratulated him on his
marriage. O my son, said she, thanks be to God
that thy trouble has not been thrown away, for Ibla,
after having been thy sister, is become thy bride.
But, my son, do not tell any one of this. At these
words the light became dark in his eyes. What is
this you say, my mother? he cried. Know, my son,
said his mother, that I frequently suckled Ibla with
thy milk. And why did you not inform me of this
circumstance before now? asked Antar. Because,
replied Zebeeba, I never thought you would obtain
her. But now I tell you; so do as you please.
And away she went. Antar was bewildered at the
vicissitudes of fortune; he did not approach Ibla,
but passed the night reflecting on the misfortunes
directed against him from all quarters.

As to Amarah, he returned home, and sent for
Kehla: when she came, he ordered her to bring him
cups and goblets, which she did; and when he
had drunk three cups of wine with her, and was
caressing her, he fell almost senseless. Amarah was
startled, and in despair; Surely, said he to her, you
have not made any mistake with the drugs! What's
that you say? cried Kehla; it is all your aversion
for me that makes you speak thus: you saw Ibla
this evening, and have been looking at her charms.
Amarah remained doubtful, whether to believe it or
not; sometimes talking of the drugs, and sometimes
of the wine, till he perceived a lethargy come over
his limbs and senses; and he was in a dreadful state
of confusion.

As to Antar, he remained, as we said, till day
dawned, when Ibla's mother came in, with the
women of the Carad family, to congratulate her on
her marriage, as was customary. They entered;
but seeing her exceedingly distressed, her mother
asked, What was the matter? O my mother, said
Ibla, my cousin loves me not; and says he has
heard something that must part us for ever.

At hearing this, her mother was greatly exasperated.
She sent for Antar; What have you done
here? cried she. You black! you cuckold! do you
wish to make us a scandal among the Arabs? What
has happened? What's the matter? my mistress,
said Antar. You have taken my daughter by force,
said Shereeha, and have kept off all suitors and
lovers from her; and now she is yours, you have

cast her from your heart, and don't care about her.
I desire you will tell me what this means, for never
will I quit you till it is cleared up. I will take away
my daughter, if you don't want her; but if you are
a nasty greasy pot, I will put you on woman's
clothes, and give you a hurdy-gurdy or a dulcimer,
you filthy fellow! O my mistress, replied Antar,
didst ever see any one approach his sister, or consider
her as his wife? Who's your sister? said Shereeha.
Ibla, replied Antar; and then he told her
what his mother Zebeeba had related to him.
Whither and how? cried Shereeha: I was not big
with Ibla till you were ten years old, and you were
constantly roaming about the wilds and mountains,
tending camels and sheep; and she immediately
sent for Antar's mother: Zebeeba, said she, hast
thou at any time suckled Ibla with Antar's milk?
I don't understand you; I know nothing about it,
said Zebeeba. My mistress Simiah desired me to
say all this to my son Antar. O my mistress, one
night I was in a deal of trouble; I lay down, and
I was terribly agitated about this sad affair: I was
so confused that I said to myself, Which is tallest,
I or my son? and when I stood by him, I perceived
that I did not come up to his knees; then I thought
he was my father, and that I was his daughter.
When Ibla's mother and the other women heard
this, they all laughed; but as Shereeha wished to
know the truth of it, What could you mean by
these suggestions? said she to Simiah; thus to
disturb the happiness of my daughter and her
cousin! O Shereeha, said Simiah, know then, that
Amarah gave me this diamond necklace, and made
me swear to instruct Zebeeba thus; but though I
was aware no one could possibly prove the fact, I
could not reconcile myself to the loss of this necklace
merely for a word or so, feeling assured that
for this night my son would bear with me. Antar's
countenance now brightened with joy, and his bosom
expanded with delight. Away, then, said he to the
women, you have finished your congratulations.
He went to Ibla, and as he looked at her, he
thought of Zebeeba's expressions, and all she had
said to procrastinate his happiness, and thus he
spoke:

"Zebeeba thought Ibla was her daughter; Zebeeba
lied, and she too who instructed her. Zebeeba
is like the obscurity when it rises; the
night is in her, and is as if she were fraternised to
it. But the sweet Ibla is like the morning, and
her charms are pre-eminent. Who would draw a
parallel between the owl and the dove? and who
would find fault with the sun at noon-day? My
mother came with a horrible story; she came with
an insidious falsehood in her speech."

When he had recited his verses, he quitted Ibla,
scented as he was with musk and ambergris. The
shouts arose, and the slave-girls whirled the cymbals
in every direction; but the happiest of all were
King Cais and his brothers; and as Antar came to
him with the Arab chiefs, Cais congratulated him
on his nuptials, as did every one else, kissing him

between the eyes. King Cais having invested him
with an honorary robe, and also all the Arab chiefs
present on the occasion of Antar's marriage, questioned
him as to his heart's contentment. O, my
lord, replied Antar, I have succeeded in obtaining
my cousin only by your noble firmness, and the decision
of your character; and thus Antar addressed
him:

"I swear by thee that I have passed a time of
happiness, and I enjoyed the most perfect delight
in her society till dawn. As Ibla lay, musk spread
delicious fragrance from her person, and her
breath to me is more delicious than oil of roses.
I kissed her bosom and her cheeks, ornamented
with precious jewels, and the flush of wine. I
grasped in her the branch of the tamarisk, steeped
in clouds of beauty from the distilling rain; she
leant on me with her hand, her elbow, and her
wrist. We were cheek to cheek and neck to neck.
Never did I behold amongst the human race any
thing like Ibla; lovelier and more beautiful than
the sun and moon. When she stirs, her graceful
movements resemble the wave of the branch with
its green leaves. O, I vow no other charms will
I ever love in my life; never, whilst the world
endures, will I ever fail in my fondness for her.
Ibla is indeed a matchless nymph; thin loined,
and delicate waisted. Love for her penetrates my
heart and my entrails: it is as if the tears that
flow down my cheeks should flow in blood. Away,
away, never will I forget her love; no, never till

I rest in my grave. She is my object and desire
in every desert; never will I abandon her till the
day of judgment."

King Cais and all present were in admiration of
his eloquence, saying, God be praised, that has endued
thee with intrepidity and skill in arms, and
fluency of speech! Thus they continued feasting
and enjoying themselves for seven days successively,
and after that the Arabs separated for their respective
homes, surprised at the marriage, and the
quantity of wealth expended at it.

When the Arabs were gone, the Absians remained
two days quietly in their tents, but on the
third day King Cais gave a splendid feast at the
lake of Zat-ul-irsad to the tribe of Abs, in honour
of Antar's nuptials; and when they had eaten their
dinner, the wine circled among them, and as they
were thus occupied, behold a dust like smoke arose.
Antar and Mocri-ul-wahsh mounted with the Absian
chiefs to meet it, in order to see what it meant,
and lo! it discovered a close-vizored knight, followed
by ten thousand horsemen clad in armour
and steel. This warrior was called Awtaban, son
of Semaamaa, and the reason of his coming into the
land of Abs was this: As he was on a predatory
excursion against the property of the Arabs, he
quitted the land of Yemen, his own country, and
continued his expedition through the land of Cahtan,
and entered the country of the tribes of Adnan,
where meeting the Arabs who were separating from
Antar's nuptials, he inquired about their movements,

and they told him all about Antar's marriage, and
the wealth and cattle he had expended on that occasion.
At this description of Antar, he was highly
incensed and indignant, for he was also one of the
famed giants in those days of ignorance. We must
now proceed, said he to his heroes, to plunder the
goods of the Absians, and kill their men, and slay
Antar, whose name is thus famed and celebrated.
I will take his cousin Ibla captive, and make her
my concubine; and he hastened on till he came
nigh unto the Absians.

When Antar saw the armies and horsemen, he
turned towards the tribe of Abs to consult with
them on what they should do in this affair. Beholding
their countenances turn pale from fear, Cousins,
said he, banish these terrors and alarms; comfort
yourselves, and rejoice in the defeat of your
foes; and he attacked in front of the Absians.
Ibla, with the other women, came out to see what
was going on; and as Antar beheld Ibla as she
stood among the women without the tents, he was
afraid she would look upon him with the eye of
inferiority, so he rushed upon Awtaban's troops.
Hola! O Arabs, he cried, tell me whence ye are,
and what has brought ye hither? He had scarcely
finished when Awtaban stood before him; Eh! black
wretch, coward, poltroon, cried he, what slave of
the tribe of Abs and Adnan art thou? Thou son
of a base coward, said Antar, I am the vanquisher
of heroes; I am he who enjoys with my sword the
tribute of all these countries. I am the Chief Antar,

son of the Chief Shedad. And I am come in
quest of thee, said Awtaban in answer: this day I
must slay thee, and take captive thy cousin Ibla;
and if thou dost not know me, thou son of a poltroon,
I am Awtaban, the knight of Yemen, and in
my tribute are the lands of Senaa and Aden. He
had not finished when Antar shouted at him and
attacked. Awtaban met him, and addressed him
in these lines:

"O Chief Antar, a hero has come against thee,
whose power in the girded sword is to be dreaded:
it cleaves the neck of the horsemen and the foe,
and lays them low at every stroke. How many
knights have I slain in the plain of battle, where
they fall on their cheeks, and struggle with their
hands! Come on, then; in me is an impetuous
knight, whose ambition soars above every hero."

May thy mother forfeit thee, and may thy family
and tribe be deprived of thee! replied Antar. This
day will I make the last of thy days; and he thus
answered:

"Thou liest, by the shrine of God! thou most
ignorant of men, thou son of a coward, thou
vilest of wretches! Come on to the fight! Soon
thou wilt meet a lion whose power is a match for
every antagonist; whose Absian, Antarian vehemence
overthrows the firmest of the foes with his
mangling thrusts, and hurls down dead the warrior-enemy
with his sword, and leaves them slain
like camels gasping in death, abundant as carrion

for the wild beasts—food for the birds of the
deserts, and the hawks."

Thus saying, Antar rushed upon Awtaban. Awtaban
received him with a heart like a rock; and
between them there ensued the battle of swords and
spears, that turned infants grey, and sickened the
eyes. They continued in this state, plying the
sword-blow and the spear-thrust, till all the warriors
shuddered at their exploits. Antar looked at Awtaban,
and saw he was a mailed lion, and a terrific
warrior. They continued to fight, to give and take,
to sport, to exert themselves, to advance and retire,
till Antar perceiving that Awtaban was exhausted
and tired, hemmed him in, and clung to him; then
closing every means of escape, he grasped his dreadful
Dhami, irresistible and never-failing, and smote
Awtaban on the head, covered as he was with his
shield, but Antar's sword cut it in two, and cleft
his helmet, and the chains, and the wadding, and
still continued its sway till it issued through his
thighs to the back of his horse, and Awtaban fell,
he and his horse, cut in four; and at the effects of
his blow he shouted out, O by Abs! O by Adnan!
I will ever be the lover of Ibla. All the Absians
gave an universal shout, May thy hand be never
palsied! may no foe ever triumph over thee! may
no one ever harm thee! thou knight of the age;
thou champion of the tribe of Abs and Adnan!

As to Awtaban's troops, when they saw that Antar
had felled their chief, they attacked with all

their ten thousand like one man, crying out, O thou
black! thou wretch! thou coward! thou poltroon!
thou hast slain a knight whose equal the age will
never produce. Antar received them on the chest
of his horse Abjer, whilst the Absians also assaulted
to assist him; men met men, and heroes heroes;
blood flowed and streamed; limbs were hewn off;
the Absians exerted all their powers in the presence
of their wives and families, and destroyed the foe
with their force and vigour. As to Antar, he exposed
himself to death and destruction, for he knew
Ibla was looking at him. Mocri-ul-wahsh performed
in the presence of Antar deeds to be recorded, and
in less than two hours Awtaban's troops fled; but
the Absians and Antar pursued them closely, till
having driven them out of the country, they returned
to their scattered horses and dispersed armies;
and having collected their property, they
went home, Antar at their head, as if drowned in a
sea of blood; and thus he spoke:

"My heart is at rest; it is recovered from its intoxication.
Sleep has calmed my eyelids, and
relieved them. Fortune has aided me, and my
prosperity cleaves the veil of night, and the seven
orders of heaven. I am the slave that encounters
death on the day of terrors, and fears not destruction.
I have slain Awtaban, and he was a knight
stout armed and bitter palated; I hurled him to
the ground, laid low by my sword, his feet and
legs wallowing in blood. I have made the horsemen
drink of the cup of death mixed with tortures,

at my scimitar's edge. I am the man from whom
they experience on the day of fears insufferable
justice: a youth that fells the horsemen on the
day of battle, and dreads not the thin edge of the
sabre. Ah! O Ibla, if thou hadst beheld my
deeds, and my thrusts with the straight spear,
thy love for me would increase, and thou wouldst
truly applaud my acts as long as people walk or
move on the earth. My glory is on high, in the
towers of the Pleiades, and my ambition rends the
seven ranges of heaven."

When Antar had finished, the heroes and warriors
were astonished at his eloquence; they retired
home, and dividing the horses and the spoil amongst
the horsemen, they renewed their feasts, and entertainments,
and sports, at the lake of Zat ul irsad
and the purling streams, the slave-women beating
the cymbals, and the men flourishing their swords.